From Tuscany to Somerset - Learn more about our Bruton leather
🇮🇹 🇬🇧 From Tuscany to Somerset
At Honey & Toast, we believe in doing things properly. That means using the finest leather, respecting traditional methods, and working with skilled makers who craft each bag with love. Our bags aren’t just beautiful accessories — they’re the result of generations of experience, craftsmanship, and conscious choices. Today, we’re sharing the story of our Bruton leather — a luxurious, vegetable-tanned leather sourced from the heart of Tuscany and transformed into beautiful bags in Somerset.
Meet the Tannery: Tempesti, Tuscany
In 1946, brothers Tullio and Osvaldo Tempesti founded a small tannery in Tuscany. Today, that tannery is still family-run, now in its fourth generation under the care of Giovanni and Giovanna Tempesti. The Tempesti name has become synonymous with artisanal excellence and ecological responsibility. Their leathers are loved by designers across the world, and we’re proud to use one of their articles we named 'Bruton' in a growing number of Honey & Toast designs. All leather from Tempesti is vegetable tanned, a traditional, chemical-free method of tanning that creates beautiful, long-lasting leather while respecting the environment.
What is Vegetable Tanned Leather?
Vegetable tanning is one of the oldest and most natural ways to tan leather. Unlike chrome tanning (the most common, but chemically intense process), vegetable tanning uses organic matter like tree bark, leaves, and roots. It’s a slow, deliberate and therefore more costly method — but the results are worth the wait.
Here’s why we love it:
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Natural beauty: Vegetable tanned leather has a depth of colour and character that synthetic finishes can’t replicate.
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Sustainability: The process is metal-free, non-toxic, and uses renewable resources.
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Biodegradable: When a vegetable-tanned leather bag eventually reaches the end of its life, it will break down naturally.
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Unique patina: Over time, this leather develops a gorgeous, lived-in finish that tells your story. This is your favourite leather.
And to be clear — this is real leather. It's not vegan leather. It is vegetable tanned.
Where do the Hides Come From?
Tempesti source all their cow hides from European farms that follow strict EU animal welfare regulations. The hides are a by-product of the meat industry — meaning no animal is harmed for its leather alone. Instead of these hides being discarded, they’re given new life through the tanning process. At Honey & Toast, we’re proud to be part of this story of responsible sourcing and thoughtful design.
From Hide to Handbag: The Tanning Process
So how do raw hides become the butter-soft leather you know and love? It’s a multi-step process — which begins and ends in the tannery drums.
These giant rotating drums are used in several important stages:
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Cleaning and washing: Removing any impurities from the raw hide.
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Dyeing: This is when the leather takes on its beautiful earthy shades — those tones that you love the most - our wonderful signature (and best selling) conker colour is unique to this process.
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Milling: Perhaps the most crucial step, milling involves tumbling the leather for hours to achieve that stunning soft supple finish. This is the part that gives Honey & Toast bags their signature feel — tactile, comfortable, and effortlessly luxurious.
This is slow, considered craftsmanship — and it shows in every piece.
Getting the Leather Just Right
After tanning and milling, the leather still needs to be adjusted for bag-making. It’s passed through a machine to achieve a uniform (ish) thickness, for H&T bags this ideal sweet spot is between 1.8–2.2mm. Leather belts would need a heavier thickness.
Why that 1.8–2.2mm range? It’s the perfect balance between:
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Softness – easy to wear and comfortable to carry
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Structure – enough body to hold its shape
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Durability – built to last for everyday use
We’ve tested many thicknesses over the years, and this one gives the best results for our collection of crossbody and shoulder bags.
From Tuscany to Somerset
Once the leather is ready, it’s rolled into bundles, carefully wrapped in paper, and shipped to our workshop in Somerset, UK — where the magic continues.
Our Somerset team — Mike, Daren, Sue, and Claire — are experienced leatherworkers who cut, stitch, and finish each Honey & Toast bag by hand. Their attention to detail ensures every bag that leaves the workshop meets our exacting standards.
There are no machines churning out thousands of products here. Just a few pairs of (very skilled) hands and a passion for British craftsmanship.
Why UK-Made Matters
We’re committed to keeping production in the UK — and not just for quality control. Local manufacturing allows us to:
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Support traditional skills and small family businesses
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Reduce carbon emissions associated with overseas transport
Every Honey & Toast bag carries the spirit of both Italian quality and British craftsmanship — a beautiful collaboration.
❤️ Great leather = Great bags. TRUE STORY. ❤️
What Makes Tempesti Leather So Special?
Every tannery has its own signature, and Tempesti is known for:
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Rich, earthy colours that reflect the Tuscan landscape
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Best quality vegetable tanned leathers
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Transparent sourcing and ethical practices
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Generational knowledge, passed down and perfected since 1946
When you carry a Honey & Toast bag made with Tempesti leather, you’re carrying a piece of that legacy.
Bags to Be Loved for Years
Sustainability isn't just about the materials — it's about longevity. A Honey & Toast bag is designed to be used, loved, and passed on. We don’t chase trends. We don’t overproduce. Instead, we focus on making timeless, practical bags in small batches that will serve you well for years — wherever you are headed.
Explore the collection HERE and find your forever bag.
You can learn more about H&T leather articles HERE.
You can find leather care information HERE.
